I thought it’d be nice to introduce some of the like-minded charities and organisations DBF works with, in several cases for many years!
I will feature them over the next few months kicking off with Sailability.
DBF and Friends – Sailability
Sailability is the disability friendly branch of the RYA (Royal Yachting Association). Set up in 1875 the RYA is now the national governing body for dinghy, motor and sail cruising, all forms of sail racing, RIBs and sportsboats, windsurfing and personal watercraft and a leading representative body for inland waterways cruising.
The RYA exists to get more people into boating and watersport activities, promote safe boating practices and raise the standards of yachting and sailing in the UK.
Sailability has over 200 locations across the UK and further afield, where sailors enjoy the outdoors, feel freedom on the water, are active, learn new skills and build confidence.
DBF has already held several successful sailing days in conjunction with Sailability and we aim to continue that liason albeit in a slightly different format. In conjunction with the milestone of our 40th Anniversary, DBF has somewhat altered its focus. With regret we wound up our BADER BRAVES Young Aviators Day Programme after 12 very successful years and decided that collaborating with other charities to put on events would make the best use of our financial assets. We could then concentrate on increasing the scope of our popular Bader Grants Scheme to support more people with physical and diagnosed mental disabilities.
It is #MoreThanSailing, and can open up a world of possibilities.
DBF Now supports Sailability with a Bader Grant, assisting them to offer events for the benefit of sailors or aspiring sailors with disabilities. We will also publicise these events and be able to offer advice and information if required but no longer recruit participants.
DBF and Friends – Sailability, Anderton Centre
DBF currently supports 5 Sailability venues and the featured one today is the Anderton Centre at New Road, Anderton, Chorley, PR6 9HG. A link to the website will be found at the bottom of this post.
As we move forward, I am very excited to learn The Douglas Bader Foundation remains committed to our vision of a world where disability is not a limitation but an opportunity for individuals to thrive. Together, we can continue to create positive change and empower those with physical or mental differences.
David Germain CEO, Anderton Centre
(See link at the bottom of the post for the full article by David Germain showing how DBF has been able to help Anderton with various projects thereby enabling people who might normally find it difficult to try the exhilarating and liberating sport of sailing.)
Para Sailing
If any of these new sailors have a particular aptitude or just enough enthusiasm to want to take their participation further, there is a Para Sailing Hub which offers increasing opportunities for disabled sailors to race and train, locally, nationally and internationally
Links: (will open in new tabs)
- Sailability
- The Anderton Centre
- Email David Bickers for more Sailability information
- Previous DBF Adventures with Sailability
- PDF describing results of support offered by DBF to the Anderton Centre